Green Earth Facts » Plant Life

Why do leaves change colour in the fall?

Green Earth Facts — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:15:44 +0000

Golden path.

Ever wander what makes the trees change colour? As if they were magically transformed by Bob Ross?

Leaves process water and carbon dioxide with the help of phontosynthesis. These nutrients are processed into glucose (building block for growth and energy in plants) with the help of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is what gives leaves their green colour.

As seasons change, the days get shorter and sunlight more rare. Because there are not enough nutrients for the trees in the form of water or sunlight during the colder seasons, they start “shutting down” for the winter by slowing down production of chlorophyll. As chlorophyll fades away, yellow and orange colors (xanthophyl, carotene) start showing.

In trees like maple, glucose is trapped after photosynthesis stops. Glucose in the leaves turns red with colder autumn nights and sunlight. And brown leaves are stained with trapped waste.

Pretty cool.

Photo by Ian Muttoo

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21 Amazing Fruit Facts

Green Earth Facts — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:44:24 +0000

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKp7mhKrQQI

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Endangered species capital of the world

Green Earth Facts — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:24:56 +0000

Hawaii is the endangered species capital of the world. With 100s of plants and animals listed as Endangered or Threatened, there are more endangered species per square mile on these islands than any other place on the planet. Occupying just 0.2% of the total land area of the United States, Hawaii is both the endangered species capital of the world and the extinction capital of the United States with over 72% of our country’s extirpated species. The islands are in the midst of an ecological catastrophe and the world is losing one of its great biological masterpieces.

The Hawaii Biological Survey compiles information on all of these species.

Endangered species capital of the world - Hawaii

Source: The Hawaii Biological Survey

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